Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1887-11-16
CHATTER vYI1f.


began to di5trust his neigh Dor. and the
rumor was on the air OF an OveTw helm
ing force q outlaws who had in con
temptation the burning and slcking of
Bushyille. Many a -kind-hearted. we'll
meaning farmer took the banker 10
one side, and. with a knowing shake
of his head, told him TO be on the look
out. These rumors. of course, came
from nowhere, and could be traced
to no reality. The banker always
smiled assuringly, - was his habit, and
told them 90 not have tue least bit OF
fear on his account.
Walter Browniieid was not in the
employ Of the banker six hours before
the news spread like Wild ire all along
the Flat IL was received by some with
suspicion. Some regarded it as very
indiscrcet on the part Of Mr.. Small
weed.
"Smallweed knows what he is do
ing was the reply Of the older men.
"Old Miles was just a little hasty in
discharging his hand, and l reckon the
young fellow is better suited, any way.
for a bank CLERK instead of farm
hand"
Mr.. Miles heard the news on the
Monday Walter entered on his duty as
clerk, and the emotions it aroused were
various and conflicting. At one mo-
ment he was blaming himself for his
rashness in doing what might have
been lasting injury 10 the youth; at
the next was trembling with horror for
the banker.
"What on earth can Smallweed
meanP' he asked himself. ''He surely
don't know that Walter is suspected,
yes, known TO be a highwayman. Wen,
I'm going TO town next Thursday to
take Mr.. Brown in, and I'll just call on
Mr.. Smallweed and tell him all about
the boy. / don't want 10 DO Walter
any harm, but must do my duty as a
good citizen"
Bill Martin heard the news and hur-
ried to convey it to Jack Hawkins.
Together they chucklcd in their glee to
. think that the new opal was gettin in
his work so nice"
Walter went carefully about his du-
ties, yet grew somewhat nervous as
the fatal day drew near. He and Mr..
Smallweed had secret interviews with
the sheriff, in which every thing was
revealed in such q straightforward
manner that both the sheriff and the
banker were compelled 10 believe that
the youth was in earnest. Walter at
times felt a twinge of conscience. Was
it right TO betray even rObber? He
was in no sense q traitor, rs he had
never had their cause at heart. At
most / was but a spy, and one upon
whom circumstances had forced the
arduous task.
IL shall not I've to see this matter
over with" he said to the sheriff and
banker; "they viii not hesitate to kill
me"
Tuesday before the fatal Wednesday
there was TO be a meeting of the
knaves at the old log hut in the forest.
Walter had promised 10 attend this
meeting, and getting leave of absence
from his employer on Tuesday after
noon, set out on foot for Jack Hawk
ms house. The thoughts OF Walter
BrownEeld rs he truJEed along the
road were gloomy. But forty-eight
hours would elapse when the false
mask he had worn would be thrown
aside forever. Perhaps a shrOud and
a coffin would be assumed in its place.
Would the public indorse his act, and
ciety? He was cast out without his
fault; branded rs a thief and swindler
10y Joe Brewster, for an oflense he
never committed. Sometimes he
thought that he would not have been
TO blame had he gone in with the rob
bcrs in earnest, and shared their
profits; then the face of his dead
mother, and the lessons of honesty she
had taught him on her knees, arose be-
fore him, and he drove all such things
from his mind.
God forgive mo and aid mel" he
calculated. al need Thy strength now
more than ever before in my life"
He reached Jack Hawkins house
and found the vii ain reioiced to meet
him. At dark Bill Martin and Jack
harnessed up the team To the wagon,
and the three getting in drove to the
log hut. Here they met five other ruff
fans, and all went In.
Light candle Bill" said Jack.
''an' We, Tom Chamberlin, stand guard
outside. Now keep yer eyes and ears
open"
II viii, Capt'iu," said Tom. a tall,
burly looking fellow, whom Walter
had seen several times about Bushville
and the Flat. He was never known to
work, but spent most of his time drink
ing mean whisky and playing cards in
the village.
Walter gazed around over the viii
famous crowd, meeting their cold muir
derous eyes, and his heart sank within
him. There was not man in there,
he felt assured, who would not stab
him to death on the slightest provoca-
ton. The candle burned dimly, and
the badly lighted room had a CHASTITY
appearance at best. With those horri-
bic, fierce looking men in the fore
ground picture was formed calculated
TO make the boldest shudder.
''Now," said Jack Hawkins, taking
a seat on the wide bench with an air
of authority, diets persue at onc't TO
bis ness. Walt, what hev We to report?"
The rullians waited eagerly, fixing
their eyes upon him. Walter then pro-
cecded to state that he had managed to
secure position rs a clerk in the bank
of Mr.. Smallweed.
They're got considerable chink
there, ehI" said Jack, winking greedily
at his companions.
':Ies, sir, L suppose there is r.o7y in
the bank, IN gold, at least three hun
dred and fifty If not four hundred thou
sand dollars Walter answered, with
an air of truthfulness.
''I.isteh Mt that. bovs " said Jack.
Fltn another Ku|~ing wink. "tour
hundred thousand dollars in gold
Silence fell on the dark group, but
Walter could sec The villainous clutch
of those greedy hands.
NV all, now, hev ye examined the
bank an vault? Dye know where the
money is kept?'
Yes. it is in the vault which can be
/ forced, or blown open with powder. l
know Gil about the buiiding.n
''Who sleeps In the bank?''
''Alr. Rockwell, the book-keepeY."
I'VE Kin easy cut his throat," said
Jack Hawkins. as coolly as if he had
been talking about blowing field of
corn.